Put the "Community Back" in Community College

Today the buzz word in government and education is accountability - everyone has an expectation for it but it is rarely seen.

Unfortunately, I must publicly say that I am disappointed at the Presidential Search process at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS, a search being conducted by the Board of Trustees.

The board members had conducted this process without input from the students, faculty, alumni, or community... except for a meet and greet hosted by the Board of Trustees today (3/28/2012). Even with this opportunity to meet the candidates, there was a lack of a meaningful opportunity to engage the candidates with questions about how they would direct the institution.

Another major concern is that no one knows what the selection criteria is or how candidates are measured. A search for a president of a college should warrant a very public process which looks at candidates with a fine degree of scrutiny. Adding to this travesty, the community feels like there is a sense that the Board has already made their selection - which would negate this whole process.

Shame on the CCC Board of Trustees for failing to include the stakeholders of the school; it would be best to start this process over and have the community at the table.

John ParsonsClarksdaleUser submission

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Put the "Community Back" in Community College

Today the buzz word in government and education is accountability - everyone has an expectation for it but it is rarely seen.Unfortunately, I must publicly say that I am disappointed at the